Murray State
Austin Peay
Big Innings Rock 'Breds 15-3
5/13/2007 5:00:00 AM | Baseball
Austin Peay scored nine runs in the third inning in its game at Murray State on Sunday and never looked back, taking a 15-3 decision to win the three-game series. The Thoroughbreds out-hit APSU 11-9 in the game.
The Ohio Valley Conference-leading Governors (34-18, 17-7 OVC) scored the nine runs on four hits, as MSU pitchers ceded four walks and hit three batters in succession in the inning.
Murray State (17-31, 11-11 OVC) got on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, when sophomore shortstop Justin Yount hit a one-out double down the left-field line, then went to third on a wild pitch. He scored on a single by senior left fielder Austin Swain.
Austin Peay scored a run in the sixth inning, but the 'Breds responded in the bottom of the inning, as senior center fielder Tyler Pittman hit a one-out single, then went to second on a groundout. Junior designated hitter Andrew Cella then singled him in to make the score 10-2.
The Governors added five runs in the seventh inning with the aid of three MSU errors, but the 'Breds fought back in the bottom of the seventh. Yount led off with a bunt single then, as the ball was relayed back to the pitcher, caught the APSU defense off-guard and stole second. he went to third on a groundout, then scored on a single by senior first baseman James Akin to close out the scoring.
"We just did not pitch well," said MSU head coach Rob McDonald. "We gave up nine runs in the third inning, and it's tough to hang in there and try to win the game. We were able to get more hits than Austin Peay did, but we've got to pitch a whole lot better to have a chance at beating the No. 1 team in the conference."
Murray State was led by Pittman, who went 3-for-4 with a run. Yount went 2-for-3 with a double and two runs, and Swain went 2-for-4 with a run batted in. Defensively, Akin had eight putouts, while Yount had a co-game-high four assists.
For Austin Peay, Levi Cheshire went 2-for-4 with two runs and four RBIs, while Jake Lane went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI and Rafael Hill went 2-for-4 with a run and two RBIs. J.B. Gilbert doubled for the Govs and had three runs and two RBIs, while Tyler Farrar and Matt Smith each scored twice. Defensively, catcher Smith had 11 putouts, while second baseman Gilbert and shortstop Cheshire each had four assists.
On the mound, freshman Jake Donze (3-7, 1-2 OVC) took the loss, allowing six runs on three hits, striking out three and walking two in two-plus innings. Senior Jon Newton came on in the third, allowing three runs on one hit and walking two in one-third of an inning, while junior Drew Leeper entered in the third, allowing three runs (two earned) on two hits, striking out one and walking two in 3-2/3 innings. Freshman Bryan Baldini closed out the game, allowing three runs (one earned) on three hits, striking out three in three innings.
For APSU, Ryne Mantooth (6-3, 4-2 OVC) got the win, allowing two runs on seven hits, striking out five and walking one in six innings. Jeff Lykins entered in the seventh, allowing one run on four hits, striking out three in 1-1/3 inning, while Daniel Tenholder came on in the eighth, allowing no hits and striking out two in two-thirds of an inning. David Vicini closed out the game, facing the minimum three batters and striking out two in one inning.
Murray State will host Kentucky at Brooks Stadium in Paducah on Tuesday at 6 p.m. That game can be heard locally on WNBS (1340 AM, Murray) or worldwide through the live audio link at www.GoRacers.com. Live Stats will also be provided through that Web site.
